Assistant Wireless UE Positioning for Indoor Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless positioning technologies face challenges in achieving accurate positioning in environments with dense buildings and indoor spaces due to signal attenuation and limited selection ranges of positioning anchor points, leading to restricted positioning capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An assistant wireless UE positioning method where a UE without positioning capability requests assistance from nearby UEs that have completed positioning, using signal strength levels to determine assistance ranges and combining positioning information to calculate spatial positions, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If satellite positioning system is used, then coverage area and open space positioning accuracy are improved, but indoor and dense urban area positioning capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidindoor positioning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is segmented into multiple independent positioning methods (satellite positioning, cellular positioning, Wi-Fi positioning, short-range wireless positioning). Each segment operates independently and can be selected based on the environment, allowing the system to maintain reliability across different locations including indoor areas where satellite signals are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning terminal is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple positioning methods simultaneously. The terminal can switch between satellite positioning, cellular positioning, Wi-Fi positioning, and short-range wireless positioning based on availability, making the system universally applicable both in open spaces and indoor environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional wireless positioning is used, then public anchor points are utilized, but selection range of positioning anchor points is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidanchor point selection range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Ordinary positioning terminals are enabled to provide positioning assistance to other terminals. When a terminal cannot obtain sufficient positioning information from traditional anchor points, it can request assistance from nearby terminals that have successfully positioned themselves, transforming ordinary devices into temporary positioning anchor points and greatly expanding the available anchor point selection range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from relying solely on traditional two-dimensional anchor points (satellite base stations, Wi-Fi access points) to utilizing three-dimensional spatial distribution of multiple positioning terminals. This adds a new dimension to anchor point selection by incorporating other positioned terminals as virtual anchor points, significantly expanding coverage especially in indoor environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If four satellites are required for GPS positioning, then positioning accuracy is achieved, but positioning function is restricted in rooms or dense urban areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple positioning information sources (satellite signals, cellular base station signals, Wi-Fi access point signals, and short-range wireless signals from other terminals) into a unified positioning solution. By combining these diverse sources, the system can achieve sufficient positioning accuracy even when traditional GPS requirements cannot be met in indoor or dense urban environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Other positioning terminals act as intermediaries to transmit positioning assistance information to terminals that cannot directly receive sufficient satellite signals. These intermediary terminals relay positioning data through short-range wireless communication, enabling the target terminal to calculate its position indirectly even when direct satellite reception is blocked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively eliminates blind spots in crowded areas and large indoor spaces, enabling accurate positioning even in environments where conventional methods fail, and can be applied in special places like mines and emergency situations.

Implementation Method 1

The assistant positioning request UE initiates assistant positioning requests to at least one piece of second UE near the assistant positioning request UE

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

using signal strength levels to determine assistance ranges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3051891B1Assistant wireless UE positioning method and devices
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP3051891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3051891B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3051891B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An assistant wireless UE positioning method and device is provided, and relates to the field of wireless communication. The device includes: a request sending component configured to, when first UE to which it belongs does not have a positioning capability, initiate an assistant positioning request to at least one piece of second UE which has finished positioning near the first UE, and store sending time of the assistant positioning request; a response receiving component, configured to receive assistant positioning information in response to the assistant positioning request by the second UE, and store receiving time of the assistant positioning information; and a positioning calculation component configured to determine a spatial position by virtue of the assistant positioning information, the receiving information and the sending time of the assistant positioning request. According to the present disclosure, by cooperation between the UE, the UE without the positioning capability is assisted to finish wireless positioning.